Glenn Humphrey will coach the Western Magpies in the 2014 QAFL.
Glenn Humphrey will coach the Western Magpies in 2014.
Humphrey comes to the club after coaching at St Mary’s and Nightcliff in the NTFL as well as an assistant coaching stint with NT Thunder.
The new Magpies mentor said he was excited to take up the challenge of coaching the club into a new phase, after the retirement of some key players this season.
“I guess what we’re looking to achieve is (to create) a group of guys that are willing to work together,” he said.
“That’s not an easy process whether there’s retiring stars or not. All that is relevant, but I’m looking at what we’re doing moving forward.”
Having a fresh face in a club environment can be a double-edged sword, but Humphrey said he was ready to face that hurdle.
“My job is to make sure that the guys accept me,” he said.
“I’ll be professional, not going to there to make best friends.
“If friendship happens that’ll be great, but so long as they respect what I’m doing, I certainly respect what they’re doing. “
Magpies football director, Peter McClennan said Humphrey was a stand-out candidate through the application process, beating out 14 others.
“We wanted someone who had coached young men and women to become better people whilst delivering quality outcomes,” he said.
“He’s the whole package.”
McClennan said Humphrey’s appointment would bring a fresh perspective into the club, after previous coaches had come from within the club.
“We wanted a variety of people to get the right skill sets and we can’t ’have five of the same types
McClennan the newly re-structured board would look to work with Humphrey to further the development of the club on and off he field.
“We want to operate as one big team – board organisation, coaching team and football players.
“Want that team coaching to be quality coaches that can help develop our players and approach our business model.”
“My role is to support Glen and be there to assist in line with what the club wants to achieve.”
The Magpies get back into pre-season training this week, and Humphrey said supporters could expect to see a highly-structured side in 2014.
“There’ll be ball work right from the start, along with fitness work and we will start on the game plan from the first night.”
“I see us having a structured game plan where players will work together, with no reliance on individual brilliance.”
